Jesse's Girl by Alison Stone

Author:Alison Stone [Stone, Alison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Treehaven Press
Published: 2017-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The next morning, Mary Clare came out of the bedroom, surprised to find the ladder to the attic extended. She had spent more time in the attic this week than she had her entire childhood. A creak sounded from above her head. “Mother?”

“I’m up here,” came her mother’s clipped voice.

Mary Clare climbed the ladder and poked her head into the attic. Her mother was holding a frame in her hand. Mary Clare climbed the rest of the way up and wiped her hands on her PJ pants.

“It sure is hot up here. I can’t believe you were able to sort through all these things already.”

Mary Clare had made pretty good progress this week as her mother had requested. She held her breath, waiting for the backhanded “but” that was sure to follow. “You’re all set for an open house, then?” Mary Clare studied her mother’s face, surprised to see her mother seemed fragile. “What is it, Mother?”

Leaning back on a newly packed box, her mother pressed the pads of her fingers under her eyes as if to hold the tears at bay. Unsuccessfully. “I can’t believe I’m going to sell this house.”

Mary Clare froze. She didn’t know how to respond to her mother’s tears. Her mother wasn’t an outwardly emotional person. The only time Mary Clare ever saw her cry was at her father’s funeral. And even then, it was followed by a few quick swipes to hide the tears.

“I can’t believe it either.” Mary Clare had lived in this house her entire life until she left for college. This house was home. A hint of regret clawed at her throat. Why had she been in such a hurry to grow up and move away?

“The house across the street took almost a year to sell. I figure if I get a jump on it, I’ll be able to head south with Aunt Carol next winter.” Her mother pushed off the box she had been going through and turned toward the ladder as if she had just settled something in her mind.

“Are you sure you want to move?”

“I can’t put things on hold for you.” Her mother’s sharp tone made Mary Clare clench her jaw.

“I didn’t mean…” Why is she bringing this up again?

“It’s time for me to retire. I won’t be around forever, you know.”

Mary Clare swallowed around a lump in her throat. “I appreciate your letting Henry and I stay here for the summer. We both appreciate it. But you’re right, you need to do your thing now.”

Her mother picked up a framed photograph and seemed to bristle at the expression of gratitude. It seemed her mother had been hankering for a fight. “Of course, I love spending the time with my grandson. I never got to see him enough before your divorce.”

Mary Clare bit back her reply. How could she argue? Chip had dictated their schedule and it rarely included a trip to Mills Crossing, a place he called backward and boring.

Her mother drew in a deep breath, as if composing herself.

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